Indigenous awareness

Four years ago the Central Peel Secondary School  Interact President, Ellen Wu, initiated the TOASTY TOES project in Brampton.  Following in her footsteps, once again Interactors will collect warm socks, scarves, hats and gloves to help those in homeless shelters keep warm over the winter months.  For the next three weeks in December, please bring your gift items to Rotary.  They will be collected and delivered to Central Peel.  Students and staff are also participating at this school.   This activity allows students to build sensitivity towards homelessness. 

 

John Lomax presented a program of indigenous awareness and activities including students from Peel Schools.  This included videos of cultural activities including a POW WOW opening and a traditional dance demonstration.

 

 

Mai Choi is the Dene First Nations word for Thank You.  In Spring 2018 16 students from Central Peel SS participated in an Indigenous Multicultural Exchange.  The exchange received financial support from the Rotary Club of Brampton.  Students and staff who participated came to the November 26 Rotary meeting to express thanks for this “live changing” experience for many students. 
This past spring 15 Brampton teen went to Hay River, Northwest Territories  and a similar number came to Brampton from the NWT.  These exchanges reflect the recommendation from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report for increasing communication and building relationships across Canada.   One of the comments from Rani (who is East Indian) was “although we live very different lifestyles we have a lot in common which resulted in the removal of preconceived stereotypes”.   A similar exchange is planned in 2019 with the Nuxalk First Nation of British Columbia.   Congratulations and thanks to Heather McPhail and Sean Corosa, teachers at CPSS organizing these activities.

 

Two indigenous students, Saul and Randy, expressed their appreciation in the form of a traditional grass dance.  This in their own full regalia!  These two Peel students, and their foster dad, Marlin Robinson, attended the meeting, to demonstrate how support can build awareness and personal cultural pride.  The two boys are becoming aware of their heritage and learning their ancestral languages, thanks to the encouragement and networking of John Lomax.  Thanks to the generosity of Pierre Beaumier and Mustafa Nassar, these boys now have traditional regalia for ceremonies and Pow Wows. 

 

Carole Berry recommended the book “The Comeback” as an orientation to the historical and current issues regarding First Nations and all Canadians as we go forward together.